When we reach a certain age *ahem* the beauty products that we used throughout our twenties and *coughs* (sorry — I seem to have something stuck in my throat) thirties, may not be be doing us any favours anymore.
Don’t admit defeat.
Don’t accept old age gracefully. Try a new regime.
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Introducing Boots Botanics Skin Care
My skin is definitely getting thinner as I age; the plumpness that I used to take for granted now only seems to be there when I use moisturiser.
I find drinking lots of water helps too but occasionally — I’m thinking festivals and family barbecues in particular — Adam’s ale is invariably replaced with alcoholic beverages and even though I’m still consuming liquid, the alcohol can play havoc with my skin and it can be really, really ageing.
Disturbingly quickly too.
So in search of a more youthful complexion I’ve been testing out some new beauty products by Boots Botanics — products inspired by nature that really work (according to their website).
I thought I’d put them to the test and see how well they really do work on my 40 year young skin.
I tested a range of the Botanics All Bright products; developed with Kew Botanic Gardens and all containing brightening Hibiscus.
The Purifying Face Scrub.
After a long weekend at Camp Bestival, my face was looking decidedly haggard and a bit grubby and this lovely scrub was effective enough to wash away the effects of 5 days in a field.
It really makes my skin feel shiny and new — without feeling as harsh as some skin scrubs I’ve used in the past. Definitely one I’d use again, although I was slightly alarmed — and a bit saddened — that the little bit of a tan I’d cultivated on our holiday to Sardinia, ended up being washed away down the plughole.
But hey. Difficult to say 100% if that was actually suntan — or dirt — after being at a festival. Probably best to clean it all off and start again ;)
I loved the fact that my complexion looked really lovely and bright and clear after using this. It’s not something I’d use on a weekly basis — maybe once every couple of weeks or so — but it’s definitely a keeper.
The Miscellar 3 In 1 Cleansing Solution
This is good.
Much, much better than the Nivea one that I’ve been recently using.
The Boots Botanics version feels very slightly abrasive — which is odd for a liquid — but a really good thing as it feels as though it’s actually cleansing my skin.
I almost felt as though I was just pushing makeup around my face with the Nivea version. I never really felt as though it cleansed thoroughly enough and — even though you’re not supposed to wash it off — I always ended up washing my face with water and a little face wash afterwards just to feel clean.
Which, totally defeated the object.
One thing I would say, the Botanics Miscellar is not capable of removing waterproof mascara. I’m currently using MAC Mascara In Extreme Dimension Waterproof which is wonderful but needs industrial strength eye-make up remover to get it off.
The Botanic 3 in 1 was just not up to the job sadly.
I’ve been taking it off with Nivea Double Effect Eye Make Up Remover — which contains oil — and really does the business. Followed then by the Miscellar 3 In 1 Cleansing Solution.
It’s a bit of a faff to have to use two products but the combination is a good one.
Radiance Balm
This did nothing for me at all.
Perhaps it’s suited to younger skin — who knows — but it sat on top of my face rather than absorbing into the skin and gave a shiny, greasy finish.
I’ve read various Botanics skin care reviews where this was a hit. But not a good one for me. I’m going to pass it on to my sister — who’s ten years my junior — and see if it works for her. But it’s not something that I’d buy.
Hydrating Day Cream SPF 15
I could probably bore you to tears with how much I love this product.
Initially I thought I was going to be unimpressed as it feels like a lotion rather than a cream. It’s very light in texture and feels a lot thinner than my current day cream.
But I LOVE it.
I wish that it had a higher SPF — my current moisturiser is SPF 30 — and I like the thought of my skin being protected from the elements as well as being well moisturised but that’s the only negative.
This cream is fab. Very light and silky and makes my face look really glowy (not sure if that’s a real word but it perfectly describes how I look after using it) and is a much easier way of hydrating your skin than drinking gallons and gallons of water.
Which would probably give you the same effect but would be much more arduous.
I love it so much that I’ve just bought the matching botanics all bright night cream.
So there we have it.
Good to know that there are products on the market that are doing their best to keep the appearance of old age at bay!
All in all, the Boots Botanics products are so reasonably priced and — in my humble opinion — well worth the money.
I was kindly a selection of Boots botanics all bright products to review but all thoughts, words and images — as ever — are entirely my own.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Hi I’ve just ordered 2 x 15ml tubes of the Botanics Youth Hydrating Eye Cream after reading reviews and being rated number one in a test. I live in Australia and had to purchase from UK so postage through one of those global shipping companies was high. I hope I am happy with the product. I enjoyed reading your reviews of the Botanics range. If I like the product I will ask my mum who lives in UK to send my other products and then stock up when I visit next year. Lyn
Hello Lyn!! Aaah that’s such a shame that it’s not available in Australia!! I think the Botanics products are fab!! I really hope that they suit you too :) Thanks so much for reading xx